JP2021182656A - Radio communication device and radio communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable further appropriate determination of channel bandwidth used by BSS.SOLUTION: A radio communication device, functioning as a wireless LAN access point, includes a radio communication unit for receiving a signal including information regarding channel used by an OBSS (Overlap Basic Service Set), and a control unit for determining channel bandwidth used by BSS (Basic Service Set) based on the information regarding the channel used by the OBSS.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

The present disclosure relates to wireless communication devices and wireless communication methods.

In recent years, techniques for making communication in a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system more appropriate have been actively developed. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, an access point (hereinafter referred to as "AP") forming a certain basic service set (hereinafter referred to as "BSS (Basic Service Set)") has one or more primary channels. A technique for providing one or more secondary channels (or auxiliary channels) in addition to (or the main channel) is disclosed. Further, when the AP uses the secondary channel as a downlink channel, the frequency band for the downlink channel (secondary channel) is used as an adjacent other BSS (hereinafter referred to as "OBSS (Overlap)".
A technique for setting the frequency band so as not to overlap with the frequency band of the primary channel of (referred to as "Basic Service Set)" is disclosed. As a result, the data transmission delay of the AP is reduced and the system performance is improved in the situation where a large number of stations (hereinafter referred to as "STA (Station)") are wirelessly connected to one AP.

Special Table 2017-505082

However, depending on the technique described in Patent Document 1, it may not be possible to appropriately determine the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS. For example, the AP of the wireless LAN is initially set at the time of manufacture unless a predetermined setting or operation is performed (for example, unless the user intentionally sets a predetermined setting) in the communication performed by the BSS formed by the self. It may continue to be used without changing the frequency band of the channel. As a result, when there is an OBSS whose channel used overlaps with the BSS, interference occurs between the signal communicated by the BSS and the signal communicated by the OBSS.

Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and provides a new and improved wireless communication device and a wireless communication method capable of more appropriately determining the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS. do.

According to the present disclosure, a wireless communication unit that receives a signal including information on a channel used in the OBSS (Overlap Basic Service Set) and a BSS (Basic Service Set) based on the information on the channel used in the OBSS. A wireless communication device that functions as an access point for a wireless LAN is provided, comprising a control unit that determines the frequency band of the channel to be used.

Further, according to the present disclosure, receiving a signal including information about the channel used by the OBSS and determining the frequency band of the channel used by the BSS based on the information about the channel used by the OBSS. And, a wireless communication method executed by an access point of a wireless LAN is provided.

Further, according to the present disclosure, the present invention relates to a signal generation unit that generates a signal including information about the channel used by the OBSS, which is used to determine the frequency band of the channel used by the BSS, and the channel used by the OBSS. Provided is a wireless communication device that functions as a wireless LAN station and includes a wireless communication unit that transmits a signal containing information to an external device belonging to the BSS.

Also according to the present disclosure, the generation of a signal containing information about the channel used by the OBSS, which is used to determine the frequency band of the channel used by the BSS, and the information about the channel used by the OBSS. Provided is a wireless communication method executed by a wireless LAN station, which comprises transmitting a signal including the signal to an external device belonging to the BSS.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to more appropriately determine the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS.

It should be noted that the above effects are not necessarily limited, and either along with or in place of the above effects, any of the effects shown herein, or any other effect that can be ascertained from this specification. May be played.

It is a figure which shows the configuration example of a wireless LAN system. It is a figure for demonstrating a specific example of the setting method of the channel used by AP100. It is a figure for demonstrating a specific example of the setting method of the channel used by AP100. It is a figure for demonstrating a specific example of the setting method of the channel used by AP100. It is a sequence diagram which shows the processing flow example of AP100 and STA200. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a channel notification signal. It is a figure for demonstrating the Channel Usage Map in a channel notification signal. It is a figure for demonstrating the Channel Usage Map in a channel notification signal. It is a figure for demonstrating the Channel Usage Map in a channel notification signal. It is a figure for demonstrating the Channel Usage Map in a channel notification signal. It is a figure for demonstrating Announce Type in a channel notification signal. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure example of AP100. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure example of STA200. It is a block diagram which shows the functional composition example of the wireless communication module 101 of AP100, and the wireless communication module 201 of STA200. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the process of scanning the channel usage status. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a channel setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a channel setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the reflection processing of a channel. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the reflection processing of a channel. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the schematic structure of a smartphone. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the schematic structure of a car navigation device. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the schematic structure of a wireless access point.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The explanations will be given in the following order.
1. 1. Background 2. Embodiment 2.1. Overview 2.2. Frame configuration example 2.3. Function configuration example 2.4. Processing flow example 3. Application example 4. summary

<1. Background ＞
First, the background of this disclosure will be described.

In communication methods that comply with the conventional wireless LAN system standards such as IEEE802.11a and IEEE802.11g, which use technologies such as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing), the frequency bandwidth is basically 20 [ MHz] is set and this is defined as one channel.

However, due to the demand for higher communication speeds, the technology of simultaneously communicating with two adjacent channels has come to be adopted in the communication method compliant with the successor standard IEEE802.11n. Furthermore, in the communication method compliant with IEEE802.11ac, channel bonding technology that can be used for communication by collecting more channels is adopted, and up to 8 channels and a frequency bandwidth of 160 [MHz] are used for communication at the same time. Is possible.

Based on the above, it is expected that the demand for further speeding up of communication speed will increase in the future, and for example, communication technology using more channels is expected to be developed.

Here, in the conventional communication method using multi-channel, when the primary channel can access the transmission line by a predetermined access control, if the secondary channel is not used, the primary channel and It was possible to use the secondary channel together for communication. For example, when the transmission line can be accessed by a predetermined access control in the 20 [MHz] primary channel, if the 20 [MHz] secondary channel is not used, the total of these is 40 [MHz]. It was possible to use it as the primary channel of. Similarly, the 40 [MHz] primary channel and 40 [MHz] secondary channel can be used together as the 80 [MHz] primary channel, or the 80 [MHz] primary channel and 80 [MHz] secondary channel can be used. In total, it was possible to use it as a primary channel of 160 [MHz].

However, as described above, in the conventional wireless LAN system, there are cases where the AP cannot appropriately determine the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS. For example, the AP is a channel initially set at the time of manufacture (for example, unless a predetermined setting or operation is performed (for example, the user intentionally makes a predetermined setting) in the communication performed by the BSS formed by the AP). , Including primary channel, secondary channel, etc.) may continue to be used without change. As a result, when there is an OBSS whose channel used overlaps with the BSS, interference occurs between the signal communicated by the BSS and the signal communicated by the OBSS.

Further, the technique described in Patent Document 1 can appropriately set the frequency band of the downlink channel so as not to overlap with the frequency band of the primary channel of OBSS, but other than that, it is usually used in both directions. No consideration is given to properly setting the frequency band of the channel to be used or the channel for uplink. Therefore, in uplink communication, interference may occur between BSS and OBSS.

Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for suppressing interference between BSS and OBSS by making the downlink channel used in the central region and the boundary region of the network different. ing. However, when a large number of OBSSs exist for a certain BSS, a situation may occur in which the downlink channels used in the central region and the boundary region of the network cannot be different.

The disclosing party of this case has come to create the technology related to this disclosure in view of these circumstances. The AP100 according to the present disclosure receives a signal including information about the channel used in the OBSS and determines the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS. More specifically, the AP100 dynamically changes the frequency band of the channels used in the BSS (primary channel and secondary channel) based on the information about the channels used in the OBSS. Further, the STA 200 generates a signal including information about the channel used in the OBSS, which is used to determine the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS, and transmits the signal to the AP100 belonging to the BSS.

This allows the AP100 to more appropriately determine the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS. More specifically, the AP100 can suppress the occurrence of interference between the BSS signal and the OBSS signal by dynamically changing the frequency band of the channels (primary channel and secondary channel) used in the BSS. can.

Further, in the AP100, not only the downlink channel but also the frequency bands of other channels normally used in both directions and channels that can be used for uplink communication are the frequency bands of the channels used in OBSS. Since it can be set so as not to overlap, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of interference between the BSS signal and the OBSS signal not only in the downlink communication but also in the uplink communication.

Further, even when a large number of OBSSs exist for a certain BSS, it is highly possible that the AP100 can set the frequency band of the channel used by the BSS so as not to overlap with the frequency band of the channel used by the OBSS. Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

<2. Embodiment>
(2.1. Overview)
The background of this disclosure has been described above. Subsequently, an outline of one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless LAN system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless LAN system according to the present embodiment includes AP100 and STA200. Then, the BSS 10 is composed of one AP100 and one or more STA200s. In this embodiment, AP100a forms BSS10a, and STA200a-1 and STA200a-2 belonging to the BSS10a are located in the region of BSS10a. Further, AP100b forms BSS10b which is OBSS for BSS10a, and STA200b-1 and STA200b-2 belonging to the BSS10b are located in the region of BSS10b. Since STA200a-2 and STA200b-1 belonging to different BSS10s are present at positions where they can receive each other's transmission signals, interference may occur due to each other's transmission signals.

The configuration of the wireless LAN system to which the present disclosure is applied is not limited to the example of FIG. For example, the number of AP100 and STA200, the positional relationship, and the mode of communicable range are not particularly limited.

Here, as described above, the AP100 receives a signal including information about the channel used in the OBSS, and determines the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS 10 based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS. More specifically, the AP100 dynamically changes the frequency band of the channels used in the BSS 10 (primary channel and secondary channel) based on the information about the channels used in the OBSS.

"Information about the channel used by OBSS" includes information about the primary channel used by OBSS and information about the secondary channel used by OBSS, and the AP100 transmits the signal including the information to the radio communication belonging to OBSS. Received from a device (AP100, STA200, etc.) or the like. When the STA 200 belonging to the BSS 10 receives a signal including information about the channel used in the OBSS from a wireless communication device (AP100, STA200, etc.) belonging to the OBSS, the AP100 is used from the STA200 to the OBSS. A signal containing information about the channel may be received (in other words, the STA200 may mediate to realize signal exchange between the AP100 and the wireless communication device belonging to the OBSS). Mediated by the STA 200, the AP100 can obtain information about the channels used in the OBSS in a wider range.

"Information about the primary channel" includes some information that can identify the frequency band of the primary channel. For example, the information about the primary channel may include identification information of the primary channel (or frequency band of the primary channel).

Further, the "information about the secondary channel" includes some information that can identify the frequency band of the secondary channel. For example, the information about the secondary channel may include identification information of the secondary channel (or frequency band of the secondary channel). Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that one or more secondary channels are used, but when two or more secondary channels are used, the information about the secondary channels is the priority of the secondary channel used in OBSS. It may contain information about the degree. Further, the information about the secondary channel may include some information that can identify the frequency band of the secondary channel used in OBSS, as well as some information that can recognize the order and possibility of using the secondary channel.

Here, a specific example of a method of setting a channel to be used by the AP100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of available channels including a future expansion region in the 5 [GHz] band. As shown in FIG. 2a, as channels that can be used in units of 20 [MHz], channels 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 exist in the low frequency band, and the higher frequency band is present. Then, there are channels 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2b, channels 38, 46, 54, 62 exist in the low frequency band as channels that can be used in units of 40 [MHz], and channels 102, 110 in the higher frequency band. , 118, 126, 134, 142 exist.

Further, as shown in c of FIG. 2, as channels that can be used in units of 80 [MHz], channels 42 and 58 exist in the low frequency band, and channels 106, 122 and 138 exist in the higher frequency band. do.

Further, as shown in d of FIG. 2, as a channel that can be used in units of 160 [MHz], the channel 50 exists in the low frequency band, and the channel 114 exists in the higher frequency band.

Further, although not specified in the current wireless LAN standard, e in FIG. 2 shows channels provided in a relatively high frequency band and can be used in units of 240 [MHz], and f in FIG. 2 shows the channels that can be used in units of 240 [MHz]. Indicates channels that can be used in units of 320 [MHz] provided over a relatively low frequency band to a relatively high frequency band.

The channel used in this embodiment is not limited to the example of FIG. More specifically, a channel existing in a frequency band other than the 5 [GHz] band may be used, a channel other than the above channel number may be used, or a bandwidth other than the above bandwidth (for example, for example). Channels (other than 20, 40, 80, 160, 240, 320 [MHz]) may be used. Also, regarding the channels that can be used, the frequency bands permitted by the legal system of each country are different, and the channels that can be used can be flexibly changed according to the legal system of each country.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a setting example of a primary channel and a secondary channel in the present embodiment. More specifically, in FIG. 3, the AP100 sets the channel 36 of 20 [MHz] as the primary channel for convenience, and then channels 40 and 40 [MHz] of 20 [MHz] adjacent to the primary channel. ] Channel 46, 80 [MHz] channel 58, and 160 [MHz] channel 114 are set as secondary channels, respectively (in other words, AP100 has a plurality of secondary channels having different bandwidths from each other. Set the frequency band of).

Then, the AP100 can use a combination of the channel 36 of 20 [MHz] which is the primary channel and the channel 40 of 20 [MHz] which is the secondary channel as the primary channel of 40 [MHz].

Further, the AP100 can use a combination of the 40 [MHz] primary channel and the secondary channel 40 [MHz] channel 46 as the 80 [MHz] primary channel. Similarly, the AP100 can use a combination of the 80 [MHz] primary channel and the secondary channel 80 [MHz] channel 58 as the 160 [MHz] primary channel. Furthermore, similarly, the AP100 can use a combination of the 160 [MHz] primary channel and the secondary channel 160 [MHz] channel 114 as the 320 [MHz] primary channel.

The setting example of the primary channel and the secondary channel is not limited to the example of FIG. More specifically, the AP100 does not have to increase the frequency bandwidth by a factor of 20, 40, 80, 160, 320 [MHz]. For example, the AP100 may be configured to use as the primary channel a channel with a frequency bandwidth achievable by any combination of available channels, such as 20, 60, 100, 180 [MHz]. .. Further, the AP100 does not necessarily have to match channels adjacent to each other (for example, channel 36 and channel 40 in FIG. 2).

In this embodiment, the AP100 typically uses 20 [MHz] channels, depending on the need for increased frequency bandwidth and the channels used (or may be used) in the OBSS. Increases the frequency bandwidth of.

Here, the "necessity of increasing the frequency bandwidth" is determined by, for example, the size of the data to be communicated, the urgency of communication, and the like, and is not limited thereto. More specifically, when the size of the data to be communicated is larger than a predetermined value, or when the urgency of communication is high, the AP100 may appropriately increase the frequency bandwidth of the channel as described above. can.

Also, "channels used (or may be used) in OBSS" are the primary and secondary channels used in OBSS, which are included in the information about the channels used in OBSS described above. It depends on the information about.

The AP100 with increased frequency bandwidth then appropriately decreases the frequency bandwidth of the channel depending on the need for increased frequency bandwidth and the channels used (or may be used) in OBSS. Let me. For example, if the communication of data having a size larger than a predetermined value is completed normally, the AP100 may return the primary channel to the channel of 20 [MHz]. Further, for example, the AP100 may return the primary channel to the channel of 20 [MHz] when the channel used in the OBSS and the channel used in its own BSS10 overlap. As a result, the AP100 can suppress the occurrence of interference between the BSS10 signal and the OBSS signal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a setting example of a primary channel and a secondary channel in a plurality of BSS 10s (BSS 10 and OBSS). As shown in FIG. 4, the AP100a forming the BSS10a sets the channel 36 of 20 [MHz] as the primary channel, and then the channel 40 of 20 [MHz] and the channels 46 and 80 [MHz] of 40 [MHz]. Channel 58 and channel 114 of 160 [MHz] are set as secondary channels, respectively.

On the other hand, the AP100b forming the BSS10b receives a signal including information about the primary channel and the secondary channel of the BSS10a, and determines the frequency band of the primary channel and the secondary channel of the BSS10b based on this information. For example, AP100b uses a frequency band that is unlikely to be used in OBSS (BSS10a, which is OBSS for BSS10b) (for example, the frequency band farthest from the primary channel of BSS10a) as the frequency band of the primary channel used in BSS10b. decide. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the AP100b is the primary used in the OBSS BSS10a among the available frequency bands (frequency bands corresponding to channels 36 to 128 in the example of FIG. 4). The frequency band farthest from the channel (channel 36) is determined as the frequency band of the primary channel used by BSS10b (in other words, AP100b determines channel 128 as the primary channel).

Then, the AP100b sets the secondary channel in the direction opposite to the BSS10a (in other words, in the direction in which the frequency becomes lower) with respect to the frequency with the determined primary channel as the base point. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the AP100b has 20 [MHz] channels 124, 40 [MHz] channels 118, 80 [MHz] channels 106, and 160 [MHz] adjacent to the determined primary channel. ], Each of the channels 50 is set as a secondary channel (for this process, it can be said that the AP100b determines the frequency band of the secondary channel used in the BSS 10 based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS. Please note).

As a result, each AP100 can use channels having high priority to each other while suppressing the occurrence of interference due to the signal of BSS10a and the signal of BSS10b. More specifically, even when AP100a and AP100b increase their frequency bandwidths with each other based on their priority, it is possible to reduce the possibility of overlapping frequency bands used (FIG. 4). In the example of, if the frequency bandwidth is increased up to 160 [MHz], interference does not occur because the frequency bands used by AP100a and AP100b do not overlap).

If there are three or more adjacent BSS10s, the AP100 forming each BSS10 is primary so that the frequency bands used in each BSS10 do not overlap as much as possible, as in the method described with reference to FIG. Set the channel and secondary channel. For example, if two AP100s each forming two of three adjacent BSS10s set the primary channel and the secondary channel as described with reference to FIG. 4, the remaining AP100s were set by both AP100s. The channel corresponding to the frequency band located near the middle of the frequency band of the primary channel is set as the primary channel. Then, the AP100 sets a channel in a frequency band as close as possible to the primary channel as a secondary channel.

The method of setting the primary channel and the secondary channel in the plurality of BSS 10s is not limited to the above. More specifically, if the primary channel and the secondary channel can be set so that the frequency bands used in each BSS 10 do not overlap as much as possible, the channels adjacent to each other are not necessarily set as the primary channel and the secondary channel. Good (in other words, a combination of channels that are not adjacent to each other may be configured as a primary channel and a secondary channel).

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing flows of AP100 and STA200 according to the present embodiment. More specifically, the AP100 and STA200 are signals containing information about the primary channel and the secondary channel (hereinafter "channel notification signal" or "Channel".
(Referred to as "Announce") are communicated with each other, and FIG. 5 mainly shows an example of a communication flow of the signal. As a premise, it is assumed that the AP100a forming the BSS10a sets the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the BSS10a by a predetermined method.

After that, in step S1000, the AP100a transmits a channel notification signal (Channel Announce), which is a signal containing information about the primary channel and the secondary channel, to the STA200a-2 belonging to the BSS10a.

Upon receiving the channel notification signal, the STA 200a-2 sets the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel based on the information about the primary channel and the secondary channel contained in the signal. In step S1004, the STA 200a-2 generates a channel notification signal containing information about the set primary channel and the secondary channel in order to report that the setting of the frequency band of the primary channel and the secondary channel is completed, and outputs the signal. It is transmitted to AP100a. As a result, the AP100a can recognize the channel setting status of the STA200a-2. The STA200a-2 may transmit a simple response signal to the AP100a instead of the channel notification signal, or may omit the transmission of the channel notification signal to the AP100a.

In step S1008, the STA 200a-2 determines whether or not the channel notification signal needs to be transmitted to an external device other than the AP100a, and appropriately transmits the channel notification signal. For example, when an adjacent OBSS (BSS10b in the example of FIG. 5) is present, the STA200a-2 generates a channel notification signal containing information about the primary channel and the secondary channel, and the signal is an external device belonging to the BSS10b. Send to. As a result, the external device belonging to BSS10b, which is an OBSS, can recognize the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used in BSS10a.

Here, the method by which the STA200a-2 recognizes the presence of the adjacent OBSS BSS10b is not particularly limited. For example, when the STA200a-2 receives a signal from the BSS10b, the STA200a-2 recognizes the existence of the BSS10b by analyzing the signal, or receives a signal notifying the existence of the BSS10b from an external device such as the AP100a. You may recognize the existence of BSS10b. The method for determining whether or not the channel notification signal needs to be transmitted to an external device other than the AP100a is not limited to the above. For example, the STA200a-2 may determine whether or not to transmit a channel notification signal to an external device other than the AP100a based on a prior setting (setting by the user, etc.). Further, the STA200a-2 always sends the channel notification signal to an external device other than the AP100a without determining whether or not the channel notification signal needs to be transmitted to an external device other than the AP100a (for example, without determining the presence or absence of an adjacent OBSS). It may be transmitted to the device. Further, the STA200a-2 may omit the transmission of the channel notification signal to an external device other than the AP100a. In this case, the external device belonging to the BSS10b receives the channel notification signal transmitted by the STA200a-2 to the AP100a in step S1004 and analyzes the signal to analyze the primary channel and the secondary used in the BSS10a. It may be possible to recognize the frequency band of the channel.

Upon receiving the channel notification signal transmitted by the STA200a-2, the STA200b-1 recognizes the existence of the adjacent OBSS BSS10a and the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used by the BSS10a by analyzing the signal. do. Then, in step S1012, the STA200b-1 includes channel notification including information about the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the BSS10a in order to report the frequency band of the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the BSS10a to the AP100b. A signal is generated and the signal is transmitted to the AP100b.

In step S1016, the AP100b receiving the channel notification signal transmitted by the STA200b-1 analyzes the signal to detect the presence of the adjacent OBSS BSS10a and the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the BSS10a. Recognize. Then, the AP100b determines the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the BSS10b by the method described with reference to FIG. 4 above based on the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the BSS10a. .. For example, the AP100b determines the frequency band farthest from the primary channel used by the BSS10a as the frequency band of the primary channel used by the BSS10b.

After that, in step S1020, the AP100b transmits a channel notification signal, which is a signal containing information about the primary channel and the secondary channel, to the STA200b-1 belonging to the BSS10b.

Upon receiving the channel notification signal, the STA 200b-1 sets the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel based on the information about the primary channel and the secondary channel contained in the signal. In step S1024, the STA 200b-1 generates a channel notification signal containing information about the set primary channel and the secondary channel in order to report that the setting of the frequency band of the primary channel and the secondary channel is completed, and outputs the signal. It is transmitted to AP100b.

In step S1028, the STA 200b-1 determines whether or not the channel notification signal needs to be transmitted to an external device other than the AP100b, and appropriately transmits the channel notification signal. For example, when an adjacent OBSS (BSS10a in the example of FIG. 5) is present, the STA200b-1 generates a channel notification signal containing information about the primary channel and the secondary channel, and the signal is an external device belonging to the BSS10a. Send to.

Upon receiving the channel notification signal transmitted by the STA200b-1, the STA200a-2 recognizes the existence of the adjacent OBSS BSS10b and the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used by the BSS10b by analyzing the signal. do. Then, in step S1032, the STA200a-2 includes channel notification including information about the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the BSS10b in order to report the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the BSS10b to the AP100a. A signal is generated and the signal is transmitted to the AP100a. Thereby, the AP100a recognizes the existence of the adjacent OBSS BSS10b and the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the BSS10b by analyzing the signal.

By the above processing, the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel are autonomously adjusted so that the occurrence of interference between the BSS 10s (BSS 10a and BSS 10b) is suppressed.

The AP100a and AP100b may set the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel by performing the process shown in FIG. 5 a plurality of times. For example, if the AP100b cannot make the appropriate settings based on the frequency bands of the primary and secondary channels set by the AP100a, the AP100a will be set based on the frequency bands of the primary and secondary channels set by the AP100b. You may try again. Further, when each AP100 repeats the process shown in FIG. 5 a predetermined number of times, the process shown in FIG. 5 may be stopped even if the appropriate setting is not made (in other words, each AP100 may stop the process shown in FIG. Communication may be continued with the settings that are likely to cause interference). Further, the communication of the channel notification signal between different BSS 10s may not be realized by STA200s belonging to different BSS10s (STA200a-2 and STA200b-1 in the example of FIG. 5). For example, communication of channel notification signals between different BSS10s may be realized by AP100s (eg, AP100a and AP100b), AP100 and STA200 (eg, AP100a and STA200b-1, or AP100b and STA200a-2).

(2.2. Frame configuration example)
In the above, the outline of one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. Subsequently, a configuration example of the channel notification signal communicated by the wireless LAN system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11. In the present embodiment, the description assumes that the channel notification signal is a “frame”, but the type of signal that embodies the channel notification signal is not particularly limited. Further, the channel notification signal is assumed to be embodied as a management frame, a control frame, or an action frame in a wireless LAN system, but is not limited thereto.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a frame configuration of a channel notification signal. As shown in FIG. 6, the channel notification signal has Frame Control, Duration, Transmit Address, and Receive Address in the Header part, and Announce Type, BSS ID, and Primary Ch. Number in the Payload part. , Secondary Ch. Number
It has a List and an FCS.

Frame
Control is the information used to identify the format of the frame. Duration is information used for recognizing the duration (frame length) of the frame. The Transmit Address is address information used to identify the wireless communication device that is the source of the frame. The Receive Address is the address information used for identifying the wireless communication device that is the destination of the frame, and if the destination is not specified, the broadcast address is specified.

Announce
Type is information used to identify the type of channel notification signal. Details will be described later. The BSS ID is information used to identify the BSS 10 with which the frame is communicated. The Primary Ch. Number is information used for identifying the primary channel (for example, a channel of 20 [MHz]). Secondary
The Ch. Number List is information used to identify secondary channels and recognize priorities. FCS is information used for error detection of the frame.

Secondary
More specifically, the Ch. Number List will be described as shown in FIG.
The Number List consists of Secondary Ch. (20) Number, Secondary Ch. (40) Number, and Secondary.
It has a Ch. (80) Number, a Secondary Ch. (160) Number, and a Channel Usage Map.

Secondary
Ch. (20) Number, Secondary Ch. (40) Number, Secondary Ch. (80) Number, and Secondary Ch. (160) Number identify secondary channels of 20, 40, 80, and 160 [MHz], respectively. Information used for (eg, the channel number of the secondary channel). Here, the content of the information used for identifying the secondary channel is not particularly limited. For example, the channel number of the secondary channel may be stored directly, or the secondary channel may be indicated in bitmap format. Further, in the present embodiment, the priority of the secondary channel increases in the order of 20, 40, 80, 160 [MHz] (in other words, in the order of frequency bandwidth). By indicating the priority of the secondary channel in the channel notification signal, the AP100 can recognize the possibility that each secondary channel is used in the OBSS, and thus controls the communication of its own BSS10 more appropriately. be able to.

The method of indicating the priority of the secondary channel is not limited to the above. For example, the priority of the secondary channel may be higher in the order of storage in the frame than in the order of frequency bandwidth. In addition, Secondary Ch. (20) Number, Secondary Ch. (40) Number, Secondary Ch. (80) Number, and Secondary Ch. (160) Number are used to identify the secondary channel of each frequency bandwidth. It is assumed that one piece of information is stored, but this is not always the case. For example, all or part of the Secondary Ch. (20) Number, Secondary Ch. (40) Number, Secondary Ch. (80) Number, and Secondary Ch. (160) Number contain information used to identify the secondary channel. Multiple may be stored. In addition, some of Secondary Ch. (20) Number, Secondary Ch. (40) Number, Secondary Ch. (80) Number, Secondary Ch. (160) Number may be omitted, or channels other than these frequency bandwidths may be omitted. It may be shown as a secondary channel.

Channel
The Usage Map is information used to identify channels that may (or are not used) that may be used in BSS10. That is, the Channel Usage Map is used to inform the range defined as an operable channel in a country or region according to the global position of the AP100 forming the BSS10, for example FIG. 7 shows 20 [MHz]. ] Shows the Channel Usage Map used to identify channels that can be used (or unused) as secondary channels. Bit 0 indicates channel 4, bit 1 indicates channel 8, bit 2 indicates channel 12, and so on, bits are assigned in order from the channel with the lowest frequency band, and bits 63 indicating channel 256 are arranged. ing. Then, a channel that can be used as a secondary channel (or a channel that is not used) is identified depending on whether a value of 0 or 1 is stored in each bit. The Channel Usage Map is basically composed of this 20 [MHz] width information, but may include information on other frequency bandwidths as needed. For example, for each of the 40, 80, and 160 [MHz] secondary channels, Channel Usage Maps used to identify possible (or unused) channels are shown in FIGS. 8-10. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that each Channel Usage Map shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 is stored in the channel notification signal, but it depends on the frequency bandwidth of the secondary channel shown in the channel notification signal. Therefore, the combination of Channel Usage Maps stored in the channel notification signal can be changed flexibly.

Subsequently, to explain the Announce Type more specifically with reference to FIG. 11, a numerical value of 0 to 4 is stored in the Announce Type, for example, as shown in FIG. The numerical value 0 indicates that the channel notification signal in which the signal is stored is a signal transmitted from the AP100 belonging to the same BSS10 to the STA200. For example, when the AP100 notifies the STA200 of the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used by its own BSS10, the numerical value 0 is stored in the Announce Type.

The numerical value 1 indicates that the channel notification signal in which the signal is stored is a signal transmitted from the STA 200 belonging to the same BSS 10 to the AP 100. For example, when the STA 200 reports to the AP100 that the setting of the frequency band of the primary channel and the secondary channel is completed, the numerical value 1 is stored in the Announce Type.

The numerical value 2 indicates that the channel notification signal in which the signal is stored is a signal transmitted from the STA 200 to the wireless communication device belonging to the OBSS. For example, when the STA 200 determines whether or not a channel notification signal needs to be transmitted based on the presence or absence of an adjacent OBSS and appropriately transmits the channel notification signal to a wireless communication device belonging to the OBSS, the numerical value 2 is Announce Type. Stored in.

The numerical value 3 indicates that the channel notification signal in which the signal is stored is a signal transmitted from the STA 200 that has received the channel notification signal from the AP100 belonging to the OBSS to the AP100 belonging to the own BSS10. For example, when the STA 200 reports the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the OBSS to its AP100, the numerical value 3 is stored in the Announce Type.

The numerical value 4 indicates that the channel notification signal in which the signal is stored is a signal transmitted from the STA 200 that has received the channel notification signal from the STA 200 belonging to the OBSS to the AP100 belonging to the own BSS 10. For example, when the STA 200 reports the frequency bands of the primary channel and the secondary channel used in the OBSS to its AP100, the numerical value 4 is stored in the Announce Type.

By distinguishing the above numerical values 3 and 4, the AP100 can recognize (or estimate) the positional relationship with the wireless communication device belonging to the OBSS. For example, when the numerical value 3 is stored in the Announce Type, the AP100 can recognize that the AP100 of the OBSS is located in the area where it can communicate with the STA200 belonging to its own BSS10. Further, when the numerical value 4 is stored in the Announce Type, the AP100 indicates that only the OBSS STA200 is located in the area where it can communicate with the STA200 belonging to its own BSS10, and the OBSS AP100 is not located. Can be recognized. Since the AP 100 can recognize the positional relationship with the wireless communication device belonging to the OBSS, the AP 100 can appropriately adjust the size of the channel bandwidth to be used and the like. For example, if the separation distance between the AP100 and the OBSS AP100 is relatively long (for example, when the numerical value 4 is stored in the Announce Type), the AP100 is the size of the channel bandwidth to be used (especially for downlink communication). May be increased. Further, when the separation distance between the AP100 and the OBSS AP100 is relatively short (for example, when the numerical value 3 is stored in the Announce Type), the AP100 is used (especially for uplink communication). The size of the channel bandwidth may be reduced.

As described above, the configuration example of the channel notification signal has been described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11, but the configuration of the channel notification signal is not limited to the example shown above. For example, the channel notification signal does not necessarily have to include the information shown above, and conversely may contain information not shown above. Further, the area in the channel notification signal in which the various information shown above is stored is not particularly limited. For example, the information contained in the Header portion in the above may be included in the Payload portion, and conversely, the information contained in the Payload portion in the above may be included in the Header portion.

(2.3. Functional configuration example)
In the above, the configuration example of the channel notification signal communicated by the wireless LAN system according to the present embodiment has been described. Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14, examples of functional configurations of AP100 and STA200 in the wireless LAN system according to the present embodiment will be described.

(Example of functional configuration of AP100 and STA200)
First, an example of functional configuration of AP100 and STA200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the AP100. As shown in FIG. 12, the AP 100 includes a wireless communication module 101, a device control unit 102, an information input module 103, an information output module 104, and an Internet connection module 105.

The wireless communication module 101 realizes wireless communication with other wireless communication devices. An example of the functional configuration included in the wireless communication module 101 will be described later.

The device control unit 102 comprehensively controls all the processes performed by the AP 100. For example, the device control unit 102 controls the start and end of the processing of each functional configuration based on the input information provided from the information input module 103. The control content of the device control unit 102 is not particularly limited. For example, the device control unit 102 may control a process generally performed in a general-purpose computer, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet PC, a smartphone, or the like (for example, a process related to an OS (Operating System)).

The information input module 103 acquires an input by the user. For example, the information input module 103 includes input mechanisms such as a touch panel, buttons, or a keyboard, and when a user performs various operations on these input mechanisms, the information input module 103 inputs based on the operations. Information is generated and input information is provided to the device control unit 102. The input mechanism included in the information input module 103 and the contents to be input are not particularly limited.

The information output module 104 controls various outputs. For example, the information output module 104 includes an output mechanism such as a display (for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display), a speaker, or a lamp, and various information (for example, each) is provided according to the processing result of each functional configuration. The operating status of the wireless communication device, information obtained via the Internet, etc.) is displayed on the display, and various sounds are output by the speaker. The output mechanism included in the information output module 104 and the contents to be output are not particularly limited.

In the Internet connection module 105, the AP100 realizes a connection to the Internet. For example, the Internet connection module 105 has a function such as a modem that can connect to the Internet.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the STA 200. As shown in FIG. 13, the STA 200 includes a wireless communication module 201, a device control unit 202, an information input module 203, and an information output module 204, and each functional configuration other than the wireless communication module 201 is shown in FIG. Since it may be the same as the functional configuration of the AP100 described with reference to No. 12, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Example of functional configuration of wireless communication module)
Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 14, a functional configuration example of the wireless communication module 101 of the AP100 and the wireless communication module 201 of the STA200 will be described. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the wireless communication module 101 and the wireless communication module 201. Hereinafter, an example of the functional configuration of the wireless communication module 101 will be basically described, and only the functions of the wireless communication module 201 different from those of the wireless communication module 101 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 14, the wireless communication module 101 includes a wireless communication unit 110, a data processing unit 120, and a control unit 130. The wireless communication unit 110 includes an antenna control unit 111, a reception processing unit 112, and a transmission processing unit 113. The data processing unit 120 includes a signal analysis unit 121, a reception buffer 122, an interface unit 123, a transmission buffer 124, and a signal generation unit 125. The control unit 130 includes an operation control unit 131 and a signal control unit 132.

The antenna control unit 111 controls transmission / reception of a signal (channel notification signal, etc.) via at least one antenna. More specifically, the antenna control unit 111 provides the signal received via the antenna to the reception processing unit 112, and transmits the signal generated by the transmission processing unit 113 via the antenna.

The reception processing unit 112 performs frame reception processing using the signal provided by the antenna control unit 111. For example, the reception processing unit 112 outputs a baseband reception signal by performing analog processing and down-conversion on the signal obtained from the antenna. Then, the reception processing unit 112 calculates the correlation between the predetermined signal pattern and the received signal while shifting the received signal to be calculated on the time axis, and detects the preamble based on the appearance of the peak of the correlation. .. As a result, the reception processing unit 112 can detect the channel notification signal and the like. Further, the reception processing unit 112 acquires a frame by demodulating and decoding the received signal of the baseband, and provides the acquired frame to the signal analysis unit 121.

The transmission processing unit 113 performs transmission processing of the transmission frame provided by the signal generation unit 125. More specifically, the transmission processing unit 113 generates a transmission signal based on the frame provided by the signal generation unit 125 and the parameters set by the instruction from the signal control unit 132. For example, the transmission processing unit 113 generates a baseband transmission signal by encoding, interleaving, and modulating the frame provided by the signal generation unit 125 according to the coding and modulation method instructed by the signal control unit 132. do. Further, the transmission processing unit 113 up-converts the baseband transmission signal obtained by the processing in the previous stage.

The signal analysis unit 121 analyzes the received frame and acquires various information. More specifically, the signal analysis unit 121 analyzes various information included in the Header portion and the Payload portion of the received channel notification signal, and acquires various information. Then, for example, the signal analysis unit 121 determines whether or not the channel notification signal is a signal addressed to its own device based on the Receive Address.

The reception buffer 122 is included in the received frame and stores the information acquired by the signal analysis unit 121. The information and period to be stored are not particularly limited.

The interface unit 123 is an interface connected to the device control unit 102 of the AP100. More specifically, the interface unit 123 receives information to be transmitted from the device control unit 102, and provides the received information to the device control unit 102.

The transmission buffer 124 stores information to be transmitted provided by the interface unit 123 or the like. The information and period to be stored are not particularly limited.

The signal generation unit 125 constructs a transmission frame. For example, the signal generation unit 125 generates a channel notification signal including information about the primary channel and the secondary channel under the control of the operation control unit 131. The transmission frame generated by the signal generation unit 125 is not limited to the channel notification signal.

The operation control unit 131 performs processing related to the setting of the primary channel and the secondary channel. For example, the operation control unit 131 performs a process related to scanning the channel usage status. More specifically, the operation control unit 131 sets various settings related to the scan of the channel usage status (for example, the target channel, the threshold value related to the received power, the scan time, etc.), and controls the start and end of the scan. Then, when the reception processing unit 112 detects a signal having a predetermined reception power or more within the scan time, the operation control unit 131 stores the signal detection result as the channel usage status. As a result, the operation control unit 131 manages a plurality of channels.

Then, the operation control unit 131 determines whether or not it is necessary to set (change) the primary channel and the secondary channel. For example, when the AP100 is started, the channel usage scan is completed, the channel notification signal notifying the primary channel and the secondary channel of the OBSS is received, or the frequency of communication errors increases. The operation control unit 131 determines that it is necessary to set the primary channel and the secondary channel. The method of determining whether or not the primary channel and the secondary channel need to be set is not limited to these. For example, when a screen indicating whether or not the channel to be used needs to be set is displayed on the communication terminal connected to the AP100 and the user gives an instruction to set the channel to be used as necessary, the operation control unit 131 uses the primary channel. And it may be determined that the secondary channel needs to be set.

When the operation control unit 131 determines that it is necessary to set the primary channel and the secondary channel, the operation control unit 131 sets the primary channel and the secondary channel based on the scan result of the channel usage status and the like. More specifically, the operation control unit 131 sets the primary channel and the secondary channel so that the frequency bands used in each BSS 10 do not overlap as much as possible, as in the method described with reference to FIG. Explaining the setting of the secondary channel, the operation control unit 131 determines, for example, the frequency band of a plurality of secondary channels having different bandwidths from each other (for example, 20, 40, 80, 160 [MHz], etc.). Then, the operation control unit 131 determines the priority for the use of the plurality of secondary channels (for example, the operation control unit 131 determines the priority so as to be higher in the order of 20, 40, 80, 160 [MHz]. do). After that, the operation control unit 131 reflects the channels that can be used in its own BSS 10 in the Channel Usage Map.

The processing content by the operation control unit 131 is not limited to the above. For example, the operation control unit 131 can perform various processes for comprehensively controlling the wireless communication by the AP 100.

On the other hand, to explain the processing of the operation control unit 231 of the STA 200, when the channel notification signal (the signal including the information about the channel used in the BSS 10) is received from the AP100, the operation control unit 231 includes the BSS 10 included in the signal. Sets the frequency bands of the primary and secondary channels used by the BSS 10 based on the information about the channels used in. Further, the operation control unit 231 reflects (sets) the Channel Usage Map based on the information about the channel used in the BSS 10 included in the signal. Further, the operation control unit 231 determines whether or not channel notification to the external device is necessary. For example, when at least a part of the OBSS is present in the communication range of the own device, the operation control unit 231 determines that the channel notification to the external device belonging to the OBSS is necessary. The method of determining the necessity of channel notification to the external device is not limited to this.

The signal control unit 132 controls transmission / reception processing by the wireless communication unit 110. More specifically, the signal control unit 132 controls various parameters for transmission and reception by the wireless communication unit 110 based on the instruction of the operation control unit 131. For example, the signal control unit 132 controls parameters such as the channel used for transmitting the channel notification signal by the transmission processing unit 113.

Although the functional configuration examples of the AP100 and the STA200 have been described above, the functional configurations of the AP100 and the STA200 are not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. For example, the AP100 or STA200 may not necessarily have all of the functional configurations shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, or may have functional configurations other than the functional configurations.

(2.4. Example of processing flow)
In the above, the functional configuration example of AP100 and STA200 in the wireless LAN system was described. Subsequently, an example of the processing flow of each device will be described.

(Channel usage scan)
First, scanning the channel usage status will be described with reference to FIG. This process is, for example, a process performed as necessary before the AP100 sets the primary channel and the secondary channel in its own BSS10.

In step S1100, the operation control unit 131 of the AP100 determines whether or not it is necessary to scan the channel usage status. For example, when a screen indicating the necessity of setting the channel to be used is displayed on the communication terminal connected to the AP100 and the user gives an instruction to set the channel to be used as necessary, or the surrounding communication environment has changed. In some cases (for example, when OBSS is newly detected or is not detected), the operation control unit 131 determines that it is necessary to scan the channel usage status. When the operation control unit 131 determines that scanning the channel usage status is not necessary (step S1100 / No), the subsequent processing is not performed. When the operation control unit 131 determines that it is necessary to scan the channel usage status (step S1100 / Yes), in step S1104, the operation control unit 131 has global position information (latitude, longitude, altitude) of its own device at the time of processing. Etc.) to get. For example, the motion control unit 131 acquires global position information by analyzing sensor information from a position sensor provided in its own device, or acquires global position information from an external device via a network. In step S1108, the operable channel information is acquired based on the global position information acquired by the motion control unit 131. For example, the operation control unit 131 identifies the country or region in which the own device is located by referring to a specific database based on the global location information, and displays a list of channels that can operate in that country or region. Obtain as information.

In step S1112, the operation control unit 131 sets various scan settings (for example, a channel, a threshold value for received power, a scan time, and the like) in order to grasp the usage status of the channel in the operable channel, and starts scanning.

More specifically, when the reception processing unit 112 detects a signal having a predetermined reception power or more within the scan time (step S1116 / Yes), the operation control unit 131 determines the signal detection result in step S1120. Temporarily store the usage status of the channel. If the reception processing unit 112 does not detect a signal having a predetermined reception power or more (step S1116 / No), the processing in step S1120 is not performed. Scanning for a channel is performed until the scan time has elapsed. When the scan time has elapsed (step S1124 / Yes) and the scan of all channels to be scanned has not been completed (step S1128 / No), in step S1132, the operation control unit 131 selects the channel to be scanned. The change is made, and the processing of steps S1112 to S1124 is performed again. When the scanning of all channels to be scanned is completed (step S1128 / Yes), the operation control unit 131 saves the channel usage status in step S1136, and the series of processing is completed.

(Channel setting process)
Subsequently, the channel setting process will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. This process is, for example, a process in which the AP100 sets a primary channel and a secondary channel in its own BSS10.

In step S1200, the operation control unit 131 of the AP100 determines whether or not it is necessary to set (change) the primary channel and the secondary channel. For example, when the AP100 is started, the channel usage scan is completed, the channel notification signal notifying the primary channel and the secondary channel of the OBSS is received, or the frequency of communication errors increases. The operation control unit 131 determines that it is necessary to set the primary channel and the secondary channel. When the operation control unit 131 determines that the setting of the primary channel and the secondary channel is not necessary (step S1200 / No), the subsequent processing is not performed. When the operation control unit 131 determines that it is necessary to set the primary channel and the secondary channel (step S1200 / Yes), in step S1204, the operation control unit 131 determines the usage status of the channel obtained by the process of FIG. get.

In step S1208, the operation control unit 131 selects one channel from the channels included in the usage status of the channel, and determines whether or not the channel is used by the other BSS 10. When the channel is not used in another BSS 10 (step S1208 / No), the operation control unit 131 sets the channel as a candidate for the primary channel in step S1212. On the other hand, when the channel is used in another BSS 10 (step S1208 / Yes), the operation control unit 131 sets the channel as a candidate for the secondary channel in step S1216. The operation control unit 131 sets all channels included in the channel usage status as primary channel candidates or secondary channel candidates (in other words, the processing of steps S1208 to S1216 is the channel usage status. It is done for all channels included in).

When all the channels included in the channel usage status are set as primary channel candidates or secondary channel candidates (step S1220 / Yes), in step S1224, the operation control unit 131 is set to 20 [MHz. ] Primary channel is set. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the operation control unit 131 selects 20 [the farthest frequency band from the primary channel candidates, which is unlikely to be used from the primary channel used in OBSS. Set as the primary channel of MHz]. In steps S1228 to S1240, the operation control unit 131 sets a secondary channel of 20 [MHz] to 160 [MHz]. For example, the motion control unit 131 sets the secondary channel in the direction opposite to the OBSS in terms of frequency (that is, unlikely to be used in the OBSS as much as possible), as described with reference to FIG.

In step S1244, the operation control unit 131 sets the Channel Usage Map. That is, the operation control unit 131 reflects the channels that can be used in its own BSS 10 in the Channel Usage Map. Then, when the channel to be used (either the primary channel or the secondary channel) is changed before and after the setting (step S1248 / Yes), the signal generation unit 125 is changed by the control of the operation control unit 131 in step S1252. Generate a channel notification signal containing information about later channels. In step S1256, the transmission processing unit 113 sets the channel used for transmitting the channel notification signal under the control of the signal control unit 132.

In step S1260, the transmission processing unit 113 waits for the transmission of the channel notification signal until the signal control unit 132 determines that it is time to access the transmission line. When the signal control unit 132 determines that the timing is such that the transmission line can be accessed (step S1260 / Yes), in step S1264, the transmission processing unit 113 transmits a channel notification signal to complete a series of processing. do. If the channel to be used (either the primary channel or the secondary channel) is not changed in step S1248 (step S1248 / No), the processes of steps S1252 to S1264 are not performed and a series of processes are performed. Is finished.

(Channel reflection processing)
Subsequently, the channel reflection process will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. This process is, for example, a process in which the STA 200 sets a primary channel and a secondary channel based on a channel notification signal from the AP100.

In step S1300, the reception processing unit 212 of the STA 200 receives the channel notification signal. After that, the signal analysis unit 221 acquires the parameter information included in the Header portion of the channel notification signal in step S1304, and in step S1308, the transmission source of the channel notification signal is the BSS10 of its own based on the parameter information. It is determined whether or not it is AP100 forming the above.

When the signal analysis unit 221 determines that the source of the channel notification signal is the AP100 forming its own BSS10 (step S1308 / Yes), in step S1312-step S1328, the operation control unit 231 becomes the channel notification signal. Reflects (sets) the indicated 20 [MHz] primary channel and 20 [MHz] to 160 [MHz] secondary channels. In step S1332, the operation control unit 231 reflects (sets) the Channel Usage Map included in the channel notification signal. If the signal analysis unit 221 determines in step S1308 that the source of the channel notification signal is not the AP100 forming its own BSS10 (step S1308 / No), the processing of steps S1312 to S1332 is performed. I won't get it.

In step S1336, the operation control unit 231 determines whether or not channel notification to the external device is necessary. For example, when the source of the channel notification signal received in step S1300 is the AP100 forming its own BSS10, and when at least a part of the OBSS is present in the communication range of its own device, the operation control unit 231 , Determines that channel notification to the OBSS wireless communication device (notifying the channel of its own BSS10) is necessary. When the source of the channel notification signal received in step S1300 is a wireless communication device belonging to OBSS, the operation control unit 231 notifies the AP100 forming its own BSS10 (notifies the OBSS channel). (What to do) is judged to be necessary. When the operation control unit 231 determines that channel notification to the external device is necessary (step S1336 / Yes), in step S1340, the signal generation unit 225 controls the operation control unit 231 to give a channel notification signal (in BSS10). Generate a signal that contains information about the channel used). In step S1344, the transmission processing unit 213 sets the channel used for transmitting the channel notification signal under the control of the signal control unit 232.

The transmission processing unit 213 waits for the transmission of the channel notification signal until it is determined by the signal control unit 232 that it is time to access the transmission line in step S1348. When the signal control unit 232 determines that the timing is such that the transmission line can be accessed (step S1348 / Yes), in step S1352, the transmission processing unit 213 forms an external device belonging to the OBSS or its own BSS10. A series of processing is completed by transmitting a channel notification signal to the AP100. When the operation control unit 231 determines in step S1336 that the channel notification to the external device is not necessary (step S1336 / No), a series of processes are performed without performing the processes of steps S1340 to S1352. finish.

It should be noted that each step in the flowcharts described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 19 does not necessarily have to be processed in chronological order in the order described. That is, each step in the flowchart may be processed in an order different from the order described, or may be processed in parallel.

<3. Application example>
The technology according to the present disclosure can be applied to various products. For example, the STA200 is a smartphone, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a mobile terminal such as a portable game terminal or a digital camera, a television receiver, a printer, a fixed terminal such as a digital scanner or a network storage, or a car navigation device. It may be realized as an in-vehicle terminal such as. Further, the STA200 is realized as a terminal (also referred to as an MTC (Machine Type Communication) terminal) that performs M2M (Machine To Machine) communication, such as a smart meter, a vending machine, a remote monitoring device, or a POS (Point Of Sale) terminal. You may. Further, the STA 200 may be a wireless communication module (for example, an integrated circuit module composed of one die) mounted on these terminals.

On the other hand, for example, the AP100 may be realized as a wireless LAN access point (also referred to as a wireless base station) having a router function or not having a router function. Further, the AP100 may be realized as a mobile wireless LAN router. Further, the AP100 may be a wireless communication module (for example, an integrated circuit module composed of one die) mounted on these devices.

(3.1. First application example)
FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a smartphone 900 to which the technology according to the present disclosure can be applied. The smartphone 900 includes a processor 901, a memory 902, a storage 903, an external connection interface 904, a camera 906, a sensor 907, a microphone 908, an input device 909, a display device 910, a speaker 911, a wireless communication interface 913, an antenna switch 914, and an antenna 915. It is equipped with a bus 917, a battery 918 and an auxiliary controller 919.

The processor 901 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a SoC (System on Chip), and controls the functions of the application layer and other layers of the smartphone 900. The memory 902 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores programs and data executed by the processor 901. The storage 903 may include a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. The external connection interface 904 is an interface for connecting an external device such as a memory card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device to the smartphone 900.

The camera 906 has an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and generates an captured image. The sensor 907 may include, for example, a group of sensors such as a positioning sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor and an acceleration sensor. The microphone 908 converts the voice input to the smartphone 900 into a voice signal. The input device 909 includes, for example, a touch sensor, a keypad, a keyboard, a button, a switch, etc. for detecting a touch on the screen of the display device 910, and receives an operation or information input from the user. The display device 910 has a screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, and displays an output image of the smartphone 900. The speaker 911 converts the voice signal output from the smartphone 900 into voice.

The wireless communication interface 913 supports one or more of wireless LAN standards (but not limited to) such as IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac and 11ad, and performs wireless communication. The wireless communication interface 913 may communicate with other devices via the wireless LAN access point in the infrastructure mode. Further, the wireless communication interface 913 can directly communicate with other devices in an ad hoc mode or a direct communication mode such as Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark). In Wi-Fi Direct, unlike the ad hoc mode, one of the two terminals operates as an access point, but communication is directly performed between the terminals. The wireless communication interface 913 may typically include a baseband processor, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, a power amplifier, and the like. The wireless communication interface 913 may be a one-chip module in which a memory for storing a communication control program, a processor for executing the program, and related circuits are integrated. In addition to the wireless LAN system, the wireless communication interface 913 may support other types of wireless communication systems such as a short-range wireless communication system, a proximity wireless communication system, or a cellular communication system. The antenna switch 914 switches the connection destination of the antenna 915 between a plurality of circuits included in the wireless communication interface 913 (for example, circuits for different wireless communication methods). The antenna 915 has a single antenna element or a plurality of antenna elements (for example, a plurality of antenna elements constituting a MIMO antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving a radio signal by the radio communication interface 913.

The smartphone 900 is not limited to the example of FIG. 20, and may include a plurality of antennas (for example, an antenna for a wireless LAN and an antenna for a proximity wireless communication method). In that case, the antenna switch 914 may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone 900.

The bus 917 connects the processor 901, the memory 902, the storage 903, the external connection interface 904, the camera 906, the sensor 907, the microphone 908, the input device 909, the display device 910, the speaker 911, the wireless communication interface 913, and the auxiliary controller 919 to each other. .. The battery 918 supplies power to each block of the smartphone 900 shown in FIG. 20 via the feeding line partially shown by the broken line in the figure. The auxiliary controller 919 operates the minimum necessary functions of the smartphone 900, for example, in the sleep mode.

In the smartphone 900 shown in FIG. 20, the wireless communication module 101 and the wireless communication module 201 described with reference to FIG. 14 may be mounted on the wireless communication interface 913. Further, at least a part of these functions may be implemented in the processor 901 or the auxiliary controller 919.

The smartphone 900 may operate as a wireless access point (software AP) by the processor 901 executing the access point function at the application level. Further, the wireless communication interface 913 may have a wireless access point function.

(3.2. Second application example)
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a car navigation device 920 to which the technique according to the present disclosure can be applied. The car navigation device 920 includes a processor 921, a memory 922, a GPS (Global Positioning System) module 924, a sensor 925, a data interface 926, a content player 927, a storage medium interface 928, an input device 929, a display device 930, a speaker 931, and wireless communication. It includes an interface 933, an antenna switch 934, an antenna 935 and a battery 938.

The processor 921 may be, for example, a CPU or SoC, and controls the navigation function and other functions of the car navigation device 920. Memory 922 includes RAM and ROM and stores programs and data executed by processor 921.

The GPS module 924 measures the position (eg, latitude, longitude and altitude) of the car navigation device 920 using GPS signals received from GPS satellites. The sensor 925 may include, for example, a group of sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor and a barometric pressure sensor. The data interface 926 is connected to the vehicle-mounted network 941 via a terminal (not shown), and acquires data generated on the vehicle side such as vehicle speed data.

The content player 927 reproduces the content stored in the storage medium (for example, a CD or DVD) inserted in the storage medium interface 928. The input device 929 includes, for example, a touch sensor, a button, or a switch for detecting a touch on the screen of the display device 930, and receives an operation or information input from the user. The display device 930 has a screen such as an LCD or an OLED display, and displays a navigation function or an image of the content to be reproduced. The speaker 931 outputs the sound of the navigation function or the content to be played.

The wireless communication interface 933 supports one or more of wireless LAN standards (but not limited to) such as IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac and 11ad, and performs wireless communication. The wireless communication interface 933 may communicate with other devices via the wireless LAN access point in the infrastructure mode. Further, the wireless communication interface 933 can directly communicate with other devices in the ad hoc mode or the direct communication mode such as Wi-Fi Direct. The wireless communication interface 933 may typically include a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, and the like. The wireless communication interface 933 may be a one-chip module in which a memory for storing a communication control program, a processor for executing the program, and related circuits are integrated. In addition to the wireless LAN system, the wireless communication interface 933 may support other types of wireless communication systems such as a short-range wireless communication system, a proximity wireless communication system, or a cellular communication system. The antenna switch 934 switches the connection destination of the antenna 935 among the plurality of circuits included in the wireless communication interface 933. The antenna 935 has a single or multiple antenna elements and is used for transmission and reception of radio signals by the radio communication interface 933.

Not limited to the example of FIG. 21, the car navigation device 920 may include a plurality of antennas. In that case, the antenna switch 934 may be omitted from the configuration of the car navigation device 920.

The battery 938 supplies electric power to each block of the car navigation device 920 shown in FIG. 21 via a feeding line partially shown by a broken line in the figure. Further, the battery 938 stores the electric power supplied from the vehicle side.

In the car navigation device 920 shown in FIG. 21, the wireless communication module 101 and the wireless communication module 201 described with reference to FIG. 14 may be mounted on the wireless communication interface 933. Further, at least a part of these functions may be implemented in the processor 921.

Further, the wireless communication interface 933 may operate as the AP100 described above and provide a wireless connection to a terminal owned by a user in a vehicle. At that time, for example, the wireless communication interface 933 can set the primary channel and the secondary channel by the method described with reference to FIG.

Further, the technique according to the present disclosure may be realized as an in-vehicle system (or vehicle) 940 including one or more blocks of the above-mentioned car navigation device 920, an in-vehicle network 941, and a vehicle-side module 942. The vehicle-side module 942 generates vehicle-side data such as vehicle speed, engine speed, or failure information, and outputs the generated data to the vehicle-mounted network 941.

(3.3. Third application example)
FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless access point 950 to which the technique according to the present disclosure can be applied. The wireless access point 950 includes a controller 951, a memory 952, an input device 954, a display device 955, a network interface 957, a wireless communication interface 963, an antenna switch 964, and an antenna 965.

The controller 951 may be, for example, a CPU or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and may have various functions (eg, access restriction, routing, encryption, firewall) of the IP (Internet Protocol) layer and higher layers of the wireless access point 950. And log management, etc.) are operated. The memory 952 includes RAM and ROM, and stores a program executed by the controller 951 and various control data (for example, a terminal list, a routing table, an encryption key, a security setting, a log, and the like).

The input device 954 includes, for example, a button or a switch, and receives an operation from the user. The display device 955 includes an LED lamp and the like, and displays the operation status of the wireless access point 950.

The network interface 957 is a wired communication interface for the wireless access point 950 to connect to the wired communication network 958. The network interface 957 may have a plurality of connection terminals. The wired communication network 958 may be a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

The wireless communication interface 963 supports one or more of wireless LAN standards (but not limited to) such as IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac and 11ad, and wirelessly connects to a nearby terminal as an access point. offer. The wireless communication interface 963 may typically include a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, and the like. The wireless communication interface 963 may be a one-chip module in which a memory for storing a communication control program, a processor for executing the program, and related circuits are integrated. The antenna switch 964 switches the connection destination of the antenna 965 among the plurality of circuits included in the wireless communication interface 963. The antenna 965 has a single or multiple antenna elements and is used for transmission and reception of radio signals by the radio communication interface 963.

In the wireless access point 950 shown in FIG. 22, the wireless communication module 101 described with reference to FIG. 14 may be mounted in the wireless communication interface 963. Further, at least a part of these functions may be implemented in the controller 951.

<4. Summary>
As described above, the AP100 according to the present disclosure receives a channel notification signal including information about the channel used in the OBSS, and the channel used in the BSS 10 based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS. Determine the frequency band of. More specifically, the AP100 sets (or modifies) the frequency bands of the primary and secondary channels used by the BSS 10 based on information about the OBSS primary and secondary channels. As a result, the AP100 can suppress the occurrence of interference between the BSS10 signal and the OBSS signal.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that anyone with ordinary knowledge in the art of the present disclosure may come up with various modifications or amendments within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims. Is, of course, understood to belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, the effects described herein are merely explanatory or exemplary and are not limited. That is, the technique according to the present disclosure may exert other effects apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the present specification, in addition to or in place of the above effects.

The following configurations also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.
(1)
A wireless communication unit that receives signals containing information about channels used in OBSS (Overlap Basic Service Set), and
A control unit for determining the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS (Basic Service Set) based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS is provided.
A wireless communication device that functions as a wireless LAN access point.
(2)
The control unit dynamically changes the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to (1) above.
(3)
The control unit determines the frequency band of the primary channel used in the BSS based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to (2) above.
(4)
The control unit determines the frequency band of one or more secondary channels used in the BSS based on information about the channels used in the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to (2) or (3) above.
(5)
The control unit determines the frequency bands of a plurality of the secondary channels having different bandwidths from each other based on the information about the channels used in the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to (4) above.
(6)
The control unit determines the priority for the use of the plurality of the secondary channels based on the information about the channels used in the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to (5) above.
(7)
The information about the channel used by the OBSS includes information about the primary channel used by the OBSS and information about the secondary channel used by the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (6).
(8)
The control unit determines a frequency band different from the primary channel used in the OBSS as the frequency band of the primary channel used in the BSS.
The wireless communication device according to (7) above.
(9)
The control unit determines the frequency band farthest from the primary channel used in the OBSS as the frequency band of the primary channel used in the BSS among the plurality of channels that are candidates for use.
The wireless communication device according to (8) above.
(10)
It further comprises a signal generator that generates a signal containing information about the channels used in the BSS.
The wireless communication unit transmits a signal including information about the channel used in the BSS to an external device.
The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (9).
(11)
Receiving a signal containing information about the channels used by OBSS,
To determine the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS.
A wireless communication method executed by a wireless LAN access point.
(12)
A signal generator that generates a signal containing information about the channel used in OBSS, which is used to determine the frequency band of the channel used in BSS.
A wireless communication unit that transmits a signal including information about a channel used in the OBSS to an external device belonging to the BSS.
A wireless communication device that functions as a wireless LAN station.
(13)
The information about the channel used by the OBSS includes information about the primary channel used by the OBSS and information about the secondary channel used by the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to (12) above.
(14)
The information about the secondary channel includes information about the frequency bands of the plurality of secondary channels having different bandwidths from each other.
The wireless communication device according to (13) above.
(15)
The information about the secondary channel includes information about the priority for the use of the plurality of the secondary channels.
The wireless communication device according to (14) above.
(16)
The wireless communication unit receives another signal including information about the channel used in the OBSS from an external device belonging to the OBSS.
The signal generation unit generates a signal including information on the channel used in the OBSS when another signal including information on the channel used in the OBSS is received by the wireless communication unit.
The wireless communication device according to any one of (12) to (15).
(17)
When the wireless communication unit receives a signal including information about a channel used in the BSS from an access point belonging to the BSS.
Further comprising a control unit for setting the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS based on the information about the channel used in the BSS.
The wireless communication device according to any one of (12) to (16).
(18)
When the wireless communication unit receives a signal including information about a channel used in the BSS from an access point belonging to the BSS.
The signal generator generates another signal containing information about the channel used in the BSS.
The wireless communication unit transmits another signal including information about the channel used in the BSS to an external device belonging to the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to (17) above.
(19)
When at least a part of the OBSS is present in the communication range of the own device, the signal generator generates a signal including information about the channel used in the BSS.
The wireless communication unit transmits a signal including information about a channel used in the BSS to an external device belonging to the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to (18) above.
(20)
To generate a signal containing information about the channel used by OBSS, which is used to determine the frequency band of the channel used by BSS.
It comprises transmitting a signal containing information about the channel used in the OBSS to an external device belonging to the BSS.
A wireless communication method performed by a wireless LAN station.

100 AP
200 STA
101, 201 Wireless communication module 102, 202 Device control unit 103, 203 Information input module 104, 204 Information output module 105 Internet connection module 110, 210 Wireless communication unit 111, 211 Antenna control unit 112, 212 Reception processing unit 113, 213 Transmission Processing unit 120, 220 Data processing unit 121, 221 Signal analysis unit 122, 222 Receive buffer 123, 223 Interface unit 124, 224 Transmission buffer 125, 225 Signal generation unit 130, 230 Control unit 131, 231 Operation control unit 132, 232 Signal Control unit

Claims (20)

A wireless communication unit that receives signals containing information about channels used in OBSS (Overlap Basic Service Set), and
A control unit for determining the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS (Basic Service Set) based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS is provided.
A wireless communication device that functions as a wireless LAN access point. The control unit dynamically changes the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 1. The control unit determines the frequency band of the primary channel used in the BSS based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 2. The control unit determines the frequency band of one or more secondary channels used in the BSS based on information about the channels used in the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 2. The control unit determines the frequency bands of a plurality of the secondary channels having different bandwidths from each other based on the information about the channels used in the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 4. The control unit determines the priority for the use of the plurality of the secondary channels based on the information about the channels used in the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 5. The information about the channel used by the OBSS includes information about the primary channel used by the OBSS and information about the secondary channel used by the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 1. The control unit determines a frequency band different from the primary channel used in the OBSS as the frequency band of the primary channel used in the BSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 7. The control unit determines the frequency band farthest from the primary channel used in the OBSS as the frequency band of the primary channel used in the BSS among the plurality of channels that are candidates for use.
The wireless communication device according to claim 8. It further comprises a signal generator that generates a signal containing information about the channels used in the BSS.
The wireless communication unit transmits a signal including information about the channel used in the BSS to an external device.
The wireless communication device according to claim 1. Receiving a signal containing information about the channels used by OBSS,
To determine the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS based on the information about the channel used in the OBSS.
A wireless communication method executed by a wireless LAN access point. A signal generator that generates a signal containing information about the channel used in OBSS, which is used to determine the frequency band of the channel used in BSS.
A wireless communication unit that transmits a signal including information about a channel used in the OBSS to an external device belonging to the BSS.
A wireless communication device that functions as a wireless LAN station. The information about the channel used by the OBSS includes information about the primary channel used by the OBSS and information about the secondary channel used by the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 12. The information about the secondary channel includes information about the frequency bands of the plurality of secondary channels having different bandwidths from each other.
The wireless communication device according to claim 13. The information about the secondary channel includes information about the priority for the use of the plurality of the secondary channels.
The wireless communication device according to claim 14. The wireless communication unit receives another signal including information about the channel used in the OBSS from an external device belonging to the OBSS.
The signal generation unit generates a signal including information on the channel used in the OBSS when another signal including information on the channel used in the OBSS is received by the wireless communication unit.
The wireless communication device according to claim 12. When the wireless communication unit receives a signal including information about a channel used in the BSS from an access point belonging to the BSS.
Further comprising a control unit for setting the frequency band of the channel used in the BSS based on the information about the channel used in the BSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 12. When the wireless communication unit receives a signal including information about a channel used in the BSS from an access point belonging to the BSS.
The signal generator generates another signal containing information about the channel used in the BSS.
The wireless communication unit transmits another signal including information about the channel used in the BSS to an external device belonging to the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 17. When at least a part of the OBSS is present in the communication range of the own device, the signal generator generates a signal including information about the channel used in the BSS.
The wireless communication unit transmits a signal including information about a channel used in the BSS to an external device belonging to the OBSS.
The wireless communication device according to claim 18. To generate a signal containing information about the channel used by OBSS, which is used to determine the frequency band of the channel used by BSS.
It comprises transmitting a signal containing information about the channel used in the OBSS to an external device belonging to the BSS.
A wireless communication method performed by a wireless LAN station.

Images